Muscat bucked the trend of declining allocation of residential plots in the Sultanate.

While the number of plots allotted across the Sultanate declined by 48.8 per cent to 3,695 in the first two months of the year against 7,222 in 2016, Muscat recorded a 31.7 per cent growth, according to figures from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The highest number of residential land plots was granted in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah, which was 1,178 representing a growth by 46.7 per cent compared to 803 land plots during the same period in 2016.

The Governorate of South Al Batinah came second with 537 residential land plots showing a decline by 71 per cent compared to 1,851 residential land plots last year.

In the Governorate of Musandam, 368 were granted, showing highest growth rate by 3245.5 per cent compared to 11 residential land plots.

A growth by 52.9 per cent was seen in the Governorate of Al Buraimi with 318 compared to 208 residential land plots last year.

In the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah 290 plots were granted with an increase by 222.2 per cent compared to 90 residential land plots earlier.

In North Al Sharqiyah 197 plots with a decline by 79.3 per cent compared to 952 residential land plots and in Al Wusta 141 plots a growth by 2.9 per cent compared to 137 residential land plots in February 2016.

The number of residential land plots granted in the Governorate of Al Dhahirah stood at 105 the highest decline by 94.4 per cent compared to 1,870 residential land plots by the end of February 2016.

In the Governorate of North Al Batinah (excluding the Wilayat of Sohar) a decline of 90.2 per cent was seen compared to the 76 plots by Feb and 775 last year.

A decline by 84.3 per cent was seen in the Governorate of Dhofar which got only 28 plots this year compared to 178 last year.